Mandated Benefit for Early Intervention

Eleven states mandate that both private and public insurers cover early intervention services for children age 0-3 with or at risk for developmental delays. In MA and RI the benefit is capped at $5000-$5500 for privately insured children, but this means that state and federal funds for early intervention can be reserved to cover uninsured children or privately insured children who need services in excess of the benefit cap. The net effect is to ensure nearly universal access to early intervention services for young children.